1. education
2. school

February 7, 2012
In this issue:
Letter from Judith
Volume 5, Issue 23
February 2012
Upcoming Events
1-2
Feb. 6
Summer Camp Programs 2
Midnight in Paris
2-3
Art Happenings
3
Hoedown a Success
Coaches Needed
4
4
Bus Route Survey
5
Parent Education Event: Moving Up to
Middle School
6-7:30 PM Middle School
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Feb. 7
Parent Education Event: Breakfast and
Tour of Middle School
Feb. 8
Primary Cook Day
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Feb. 9
Faculty In-Service Day
School Closed to All Students
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
1
2
3
Feb. 10
School Closed: Mid-Winter Break
Feb. 16
Lower Elementary Science Fair
Feb. 18
Winter Wonderland Gala
Headlines from Oak Farm Montessori School
Our mission is to provide a Montessori environment that inspires children to reach their potential through meaningful work.
www.oakfarm.org
502 Lemper Road Avilla, IN 46710
(260) 897-4270
FROM JUDITH CUNNINGHAM, HEAD OF SCHOOL
A vision of our founder, Lorene Dekko Salsberry,
was for Oak Farm to create a comprehensive
Montessori program from infancy through grade 12
that would not only be a benchmark for Montessori
education, but that would also be a beacon to help
guide other schools. Her goal, by the example set by
Oak Farm, was to help raise the standards of all
schools in Northern Indiana.
We continue to be on a path towards excellence in
Montessori education, and this past year, the Board
studied the feasibility of creating a high school. The
research showed us that it will require at least five
years for Oak Farm to have significant enough Middle
School population to consider that phase of growth.
For now, your child can have the benefit of a
Montessori high-school education because the Board
has created an opportunity for any graduating 8th
grade student to attend the Montessori High School
in University Circle, Cleveland as a boarding student.
Oak Farm will provide financial aid to help fill the gap
between what you would pay in Oak Farm tuition
and the cost for your child to attend the Montessori
High School in University Circle.
The Montessori High School was chosen because of
the long standing relationship between Oak Farm and
David Kahn, the founder of the high school, the
proven excellence of its curriculum, and because it is
the only boarding Montessori high school. The
principles of that program align with Oak Farm’s.
Their brochure states, “MHS’s mission is centered on
inspiring learning. We believe high school students
need to develop a sense of purpose and relevance
toward their academic studies that motivates them
and creates a lifelong love of learning. They need a
holistic experience that builds a sense of responsibility
for, and pride in, their individual contributions. MHS
provides this opportunity through a rigorous, creative
curriculum and interdisciplinary collaboration with the
University Circle community.”
MHS’s relationship with the University Circle
community will provide your child an excellent
preparation for community college or university. The
Oak Farm Board’s significant financial support will
make attendance at MHS affordable. The financial
commitment is unprecedented, and represents the
Board’s support for your child and Oak Farm’s recognition of the lifelong value of a Montessori education.
If you have any questions about this opportunity for
our Oak Farm graduates, please contact me directly.
Continued on page 2
Page 1 - 2/7/2012
FROM JUDITH CUNNINGHAM, HEAD OF SCHOOL
Continued from page 1
This week, we will be able to utilize Thursday as a faculty in-service and Friday for a mid-winter break since
there has only been one school cancellation this year. We typically plan for 3-4 days closed due to weather each
calendar year.
Last year the school was closed an inordinate number of days due to snow so we built into this year’s calendar
days that could be used to make up for excessive snow days. Since that has not happened this year, we will
retain the days for professional development and winter recess.
SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS 2012
By Kelly Elias
Some of you may have noticed your child brought home a summer camp brochure for this summer’s current
program. Teachers received these brochures to hand out late last week, and we would like to point out some
highlights. This year we are offering up to 6 weeks of camps for toddlers through middle-school students. Back
by popular demand is Jill’s culinary camp, which has been divided up with Primary one week and Elementary/
Middle School another week. Elementary and Middle School students can also look forward to a couple of new
camps being offered by Nancy Bradtmiller and Andrea Deihl that promise a lot of outdoor discovery time. Parents of toddlers can look forward to sending their children to the comfortable Toddler environment of the Victorian Farmhouse, which contains so much for the toddler children to explore.
We are again offering “Moving Into Montessori” for all of our new and returning Primary students. This is a great
way for an older toddler to gain the confidence of transitioning into a new Primary environment, for a new-toOak Farm student to feel comfortable in her new school, or for a returning Primary student to gently adjust
from a summer schedule to the upcoming school year. Students will enjoy a half day in a Primary classroom with
a Montessori trained teacher who will guide them in learning some new materials or simply allow them to revisit
some favorite works.
All of our camps, with the exception of “Moving into Montessori” will begin at 8:30 AM and will end at 3:30 PM.
For those of you who have children moving from one level to the next, make sure to sign your children up for
the summer camps that coincide with their new levels. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Kelly
Elias at kelias@oakfarmschool.com or at (260) 897-4270 extension 25204.
“MIDNIGHT IN PARIS”
By Jillian Chaulk, Winter Wonderland Committee Member
Midnight in Paris is quickly approaching. Doors will open at 5:45 PM.
The silent auction will begin at 6:00pm and will CLOSE at 6:50 PM.
The silent auction will include many of our classroom projects. You do not want to miss the first hour—this hour
will feature the silent auction, wall of wine, pot of gold and a wish table! We are excited to offer this fast, action
packed giving hour, so that the rest of the evening can be spent with the friends and family that support our children every day.
We would like to share a NEW item that will be available at the event...Matilda Jane Clothing has donated
Page 2 - 2/7/2012
Continued on page 3
“MIDNIGHT IN PARIS”
Continued from page 2
SERENDIPITY—the entire spring line of clothing, in the size of your choice. Serendipity can be viewed prior to
the auction at www.matildajaneclothing.com (The spring line will include three releases, and the first is available
now.)
The live auction will begin at 8:00 PM.
The live auction will include some of the classroom projects and a few other surprises!
We are accepting donations for the silent auction until February 10, 2012. Please contact us if you have any
questions regarding your donation. If you are interested in donating, and have not yet made your contribution,
we are in need of WINE! We are asking families who have not donated a silent-auction item to donate a bottle
of their favorite wine. The donated wine will be showcased during our WALL OF WINE. This event will take
place from 6:00-6:50 PM.
Please RSVP by 2/13/2012. RSVPs can be sent by phone or email. I can be reached at jillchaulk@gmail.com or
(260) 415-7291. If you have purchased a table of eight, a table will be reserved for you and your guests. All other tickets come with general seating. We look forward to sharing this amazing evening with you and your
guests!
ART HAPPENINGS
By Heather Miller, Art Specialist
Upper Elementary students are busy working on
a large, tile mural that
Guest artist, Deb Walterhouse, demonstrates her
craft of creating tiles with
clay to Upper Elementary
students.
will be installed over the
fireplace at the Victorian
Farmhouse. Tatum uses
the pattern to help her
place the tile she created
Middle-school students,
Isaac and Ian concentrate as they cut designs
Heather demonstrates to
students as the puzzle of
clay pieces grows larger.
from clay.
from fusible glass.
Students are creating
small plates, bowls, and
hanging sculptures from
glass that is melted and
fused in the kiln.
Page 3 - 2/7/2012
FAMILY HOEDOWN A WONDERFUL EVENING OF DANCING
AND COMMUNITY FUN
By Kim Green, PE Specialist
Just minutes after the Prairie Fire String Band began playing Friday night, the Oak Farm community came to life
with music and dance. The band had dancers of all ages up and moving as they joined hands and followed
Marlin’s calls in several old-fashioned country dances making for a very exciting and memorable evening.
Look for more Hoedown pictures on our
Facebook page. See ya’ll next year!
Thank you to the Dekko Foundation for their
support.
COACHES FOR SPRING SPORTS NEEDED
By Andrea Deihl, Athletic Director/PE Specialist
Oak Farm is looking for Golf and Track and Field coaches. If you are interested please contact Andrea Deihl
(260) 897-4270 or adeihl@oakfarmschool.com.
Golf Coach
The golf team is a co-ed team consisting of no more than 10 students from both Oak Farm and St. Mary’s School
(Avilla). Students in grades 4-8 may participate. Requirements: knowledge of the game and playing etiquette, patience and willingness to work with young students who may have never played before, able to model and hold
student athletes accountable to the Oak Farm Code of Conduct, able to organize and manage practices (up to
four nights a week for practices and matches mid-March through mid-May), recent background check.
Track & Field Coaches (2 needed)
The track team is a co-ed team consisting of no more than 25 students from both Oak Farm and St. Mary’s
School (Avilla). Students in grades 5-8 may participate. Requirements: knowledge of running, field events, sprinting, and hurdling; patience and willingness to work with young students who may have never played before; able
to model and hold student athletes accountable to the Oak Farm Code of Conduct; organize and manage practices (up to four nights a week for practices and meets mid-March through mid-May); recent background check.
Page 4 - 2/7/2012
LAST CALL: BUS SURVEY DUE FEB. 13
Bus Route Survey
January 2012
Oak Farm is in the process of developing a plan to add another bus stop to the Fort Wayne area. Currently, the bus
stop is at the Sleep Inn at Dupont Road and I69. We want to add another location farther south of the current bus
stop and would like your opinion on a few possible locations.
Approximate morning pick up time – 7:15 to 7:30am
Approximate afternoon drop off time – 4:45 to 5:00pm
Please rate the following possible locations with 1 being your first choice and 3 being your last choice.
_______________
Glenbrook Mall/Lima Road Area
_______________
Downtown/Main Street/Berry Street
_______________
West Jefferson Street/Jefferson Pointe
The anticipated cost for this route is:
Roundtrip
One Way
1 Child
$135
$80
2 Child
$85
$60
3 Child
$55
$35
st
nd
rd
Please complete one survey per family and provide your name below so that we may be better able to determine the
geographical locations of our families. Providing your name does not obligate you to participate in the busing
service.
____________________________________________________________
Name
Turn the completed survey into Lisa Rimmel or Lauren Moyer.
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